PM Narendra Modi pulls up Arvind Kejriwal for live telecast of meeting

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 23

As Delhi gasps for breath amid shortage of health infrastructure, beds, medical oxygen and drugs, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today red-flagged worsening oxygen crisis here, sharing the live telecast of an “in-house” meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing other states of “blocking” oxygen to the national capital.

The move earned him immediate rebuke from the Prime Minister, prompting Kejriwal to tender an apology and express “regret”.

“People are in pain due to oxygen shortage. We fear a big tragedy may happen and we will never be able to forgive ourselves. I request you with folded hands to direct all CMs to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to Delhi,” Kejriwal said.

Government and BJP functionaries accused him of playing politics on a serious issue by airing what they called a “private conversation between him and PM Modi”.

“Kejriwal has descended to a new low,” they said, accusing the Delhi CM of “playing politics using a government platform” and “palming off” his inadequacies on to the Centre. “He could have held a press conference. The proceedings of the conference were not supposed to be televised,” they said.

Speaking at a meeting chaired by the PM on the Covid-19 situation, Kejriwal requested him to direct CMS of all states to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to the national capital.

“Will people of Delhi not get oxygen if there is no oxygen-producing plant here? Please suggest whom should I speak to in the central government when an oxygen tanker destined for Delhi is stopped in another state,” the Delhi CM said. However, cutting him off midway, the PM ticked him off for telecasting an “in-house” meeting.

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